7^ A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



into the ocean, beneath whose clear blue waters the columns can be 

 seen trending off in the direction of Staffa ; and the restless heaving 

 Atlantic stretches away, away, bearing many a homeward sail down 

 the Sound. So close, that it seems but a step, is the rocky isle of 

 Rathlin, still haunted by traditions of the Bruce. To the north-east 

 bonny Scotland shows fair and clear, whilst the glorious columnar 

 rocks sweep in gi-aceful curves to Bengore-head. What poor words 

 of mine can paint their beauty of form, their infinite variety of colour, 

 from layers of ochre, earths, and lichens ? They must be seen, not 

 told. To the south-west, bright reaches of strand, basaltic rocks, 

 peaceful Lough Foyle, and the Donegal highlands, complete the 

 view ; whilst landwards, the storm-beaten fields and wastes of Antrim 

 roll, swell above swell, to join the lofty range, of which Knocklayd is 

 the king. 



All this is veiy fine quite touching ; but what has it to do with 

 fishing ? Nothing nothing at all. But, my dear friend, we can't 

 have everything we want in this life. We can't make clouds, or 

 bring wind and rain. Look at my diary : ' Monday, blazing hot. 

 Tuesday, ditto ditto. Wednesday, worse than ever." Well, take 

 comfort ; the glass is falling, and to morrow is the first of the 

 springs ; so if we have any luck, there will be sport yet before the 

 week is over. 



Barometer still falling, but not a cloud in the sky or an air on the 

 water. Nothing can be done here, so we will go to Coleraine and 

 take a look at the Bann. 



On this noble stream there is a boat club, and a good one too. 

 What a treat to set foot in a light wherry and feel one of Searle's 

 oars in your hand. With the sunshine glittering through the woods 

 on either side, and gilding the windows of many a villa, we steamed 

 up a river, wide as the Thames at Hammersmith, with a head water 

 like an inland sea. At present we will confine ourselves to the 

 Bann, as we hope to be tossing on Lough Neagh within five days. 

 The water from the sea to the weirs at Castle Roe is free to all rods ; 

 above, it is rented by a club, the terms of which are very moderate. 

 The run of salmon is late, and little can be done till June ; the 



